The girls’ memory verse for the Season of Epiphany is Peter’s confession found in Matthew.
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Matt. 16:16
Today the Church remembers these words and their significance. Here is the reading for January 18 from Treasury of Daily Prayer.
“The confession of St. Peter did not arise in the imagination of Peter’s heart but was reveled to him by the Father. The reasons the confession is important is seen in Jesus’ response:
“You are Peter and on this rock I will build My church.” Matt. 16:18
As the people of God in the Old Testament began with the person of Abraham, the rock from which God’s people were hewn, so the people of God in the New Testament would begin with the person of Peter, whose confession is the rock on which Christ would build His Church. But Peter was not alone. As St. Paul tells us, Peter and the other apostles take their place with the prophets as the foundation of the Church, with Christ Himself as the cornerstone.
The confession of Peter, therefore, is the witness of the entire apostolic band and is foundational in the building of Christ’s Church. Thus the Church gives thanks to God for St. Peter and the other apostles who have instructed Christ’s Holy Church in His divine and saving truth.”
Heavenly Father, You revealed to the apostle Peter the blessed truth that Your Son Jesus is the Christ. Strengthen us by the proclamation of this truth that we too may joyfully confess that there is salvation in no one else. Amen.
